Let me take this opportunity to thank you for organising this important debate. We also thank the Secretary-General for his Report on Women, Peace and Security (S/2010/498).
We appreciate the participation of the Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon via video link, the Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General for United Nations (UN) Women, Ms Bachelet and the President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Mr Hamidon Ali in this debate.
South Africa also welcomes the participation of different Ministers, Deputy Ministers and the African Union.
Mr President,
Ten years ago in the year 2000, the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 . The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was the main motivation for this resolution.
The recognition of linkages between peace and gender equality, the understanding of the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, the role of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding were the factors that instituted the landmark resolution 1325.
Subsequent to the adoption of this resolution, many other resolutions, namely 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1889 (2009) were adopted by the Security Council.
As we commemorate “10 years of Women, Peace and Security Resolution 1325”, South Africa believes that while there are still many challenges there is sustained , momentum towards implementing the provisions of 1325. We welcome the meaningful progress that has been reported on by Member States, the UN System, Civil Society and the broader international community on collective efforts on matters related to Women, Peace and Security at all levels.
Today’s meeting presents the ideal opportunity to review the impact of interventions and assess progress in order to identify gaps and consolidate new perspectives.
Mr President,
My delegation welcomes the appointment of the Under-Secretary-General for Women, Ms. Bachelet.
This move demonstrates a firm commitment by the Secretary-General and Member States towards achieving the objectives of advancing equal participation and full involvement of women in the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.
Mr President,
In Africa, the regional and sub-regional organisations offer several advantages in pursuit of effective conflict prevention and resolution. Women are often willing to play a meaningful role in conflict resolution initiatives as they relate in particular, to the promotion and protection of Human Rights and the Rule of Law which are vital to global peace, security, stability and prosperity.
Consistent with these efforts, and in order to promote effective participation of women in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and security, the Assembly of the African Union in February 2009 in Addis Ababa declared 2010-2020 as the African Women’s decade.
It further committed its sub-regional organizations, including member states to use the frameworks of resolution 1325 and 1820 to integrate gender policies, programmes and activities on conflicts and peace, and create regional consultative platforms on peace for the sharing of knowledge and harmonisation of strategies.
South Africa’s legislative framework on women gives impetus to our nation’s international commitment to promoting gender equality, conflict management and resolution. My government is committed to the achievement of 50/50 representation of women in missions, leadership and all structures responsible for peacekeeping.
Mr President,
South Africa today stands as one of the Troop Contributing Countries in the world with the largest women contingent deployed in peace support missions. Currently, 19% of the South African National Defence Force personnel deployed in peace support operations are female.
Female peacekeepers work as Officers Commanding, Air Traffic Controllers, Cargo Handlers, Guards, Members of the Integrated team dealing with DDR, Specialist Medical Advisors, Legal Officers, Medical Task Team Commanders and Staff Officers.
At the strategic level, a gender mainstreaming strategy was promulgated in 2008. The Defence Policy and Strategy is now undergoing a third review since 1994.
South Africa participates in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an international campaign that is used to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.
The Centre for Women’s Global Leadership dedicated the 2009 campaign on 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence to honouring groups and individuals who have committed to bringing Violence against Women to the forefront and the theme was, “Commit, Act, Demand : We CAN End Violence against women”.
Mr President,
It is unacceptable that sexual violence against women, particularly in armed conflicts still exists and has not yet been resolved. The global community needs to be steadfast in denouncing sexual violence against women and children in conflict and post-conflict situations. This situation is symptomatic of the pervasiveness of the patriarchial ideology that systemically denigrates and ‘others’ women.
Reducing violence against women in conflict zones cannot be done in isolation of tackling the ideology of male superiority that legitimises the oppression of women in everyday life in many of our societies. If we are to stop the oppression of women during times of conflict we need to also reduce violence and oppression of women during times of peace. Too many women live in fear of violence and experience abuse and discrimination in societies where there are no armed conflicts and this too, is unacceptable. The extraordinary levels of violence during conflicts are only possible because societies generally legitimise situations where women are treated as second class citizens and as being subjects of male domination.
It is within this context, , that my delegation notes that since the adoption of resolution 1325, the ICC Statute, Article 8 criminalises, “Committing rape, sexual slavery, and enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, as defined in article 7, paragraph 2(f), enforced sterilisation, or any other form of sexual violence also constituting a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions”.
Mr President if we are going to be successful in building peace in many of our societies we need to actively advocate against the notion that violence of any sort are acceptable ways of dealing with conflicts. As is the case with violence against women, violence between peoples and countries are expressions of power and prejudice invariably fuelled by varying notions of superiority, be it the superiority of men over women, of one country over another, of one ‘race’ over another and even of one religion over another religion.
Recognising this we need to foster a new engendered approach to dealing with conflict and building our societies. My delegation, therefore, believes that full participation of women in the prevention and resolution of conflict has become a critical element to adequately address such tragedies.
Placing women in leadership positions, in senior levels, as decision-makers in peace consolidation processes, in public life and in transitional government could provide the space for a more feminised and by implication more peaceful and nurturing approaches to resolving conflict and achieving stability.
In this respect, we encourage national governments to take bold steps and claim ownership of this process including providing training and develop programs that support women and create space for their participation in high political life.
Additionally, we urge countries to give women access to services and recognize the need to integrate a gender perspective into DDR programs as women are usually the most affected during the post conflict period.
We further encourage national authorities, civil society and international actors to work together in order to forge greater coherent and coordinated partnerships to end the suffering of these women.
Mr President,
A year ago, the African Union High Level on Darfur (AUPD) led by former President Mbeki of South Africa, released its report entitled, “Darfur and Quest for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation” in October 2009. South Africa welcomed the recommendations of the AUPD and continues to believe that efforts to bring about lasting peace require a holistic approach.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa for example, worked through three committees, namely: the Human Rights violations committee investigated human rights abuses that occurred between 1960 and 1994; the reparation and rehabilitation committee was charged with restoring victims dignity and formulating proposals to assist with rehabilitation; and lastly the Amnesty Committee considered applications from individuals who applied for amnesty in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
In this connection, traditional systems of justice could be explored and South Africa stands ready to share experiences in that regard.
Mr President,
My delegation also notes the annex of the report of the Secretary-General containing a comprehensive set of 26 indicators, an international mechanism to measure the implementation of 1325, which my delegation will study with a view to contributing meaningfully to its advancement.
Mr President,
Strengthening the Rule of Law and reforming the Security Sector is important for us. We therefore encourage the international community to take collective actions in advancing these reforms including the provision of sustainable, flexible and predicable financial resources.
In conclusion Mr President, the UN has come a long way and has played a critical role in defining the role of women particularly in conflict situations. Nonetheless a lot of support to these women is still required.
Mr President, my delegation supports the draft presidential statement on Women, Peace and Security and looks forward to its adoption later today.
I thank you.
